Have you ever just looked at a mountain and wonder how it was formed? Or look on the side of the road where the rocks have been cut so that a road could go in. The rocks have different striations on them or they are different colors. It is so hard to believe that the earth buckled and rocks were made. Students will go through the whole rock cycle to learn the different types of rocks-igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Students need to realize that not all rocks are alike. They each have their own differences that makes them special. How do rocks change over time?
Ride The Rock Cycle (T.Trimpe, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Illinois Learning Standards: 12.E.3a, 12.E.3b
Take your students on a journey through the rock cycle with this fun lesson. After my students have been introduced to the rock cycle, I challenge them to create a story about Roger, a metamorphic rock. Students must describe at least three transitions that occurred during Roger's life, such as changing from metamorphic to igneous, igneous to sedimentary, and sedimentary to igneous. Students have the option of writing a diary, creating a cartoon, or making a children's book. My students have a great time using their creativity and I enjoy a little of their humorous insights into Roger's life.
Also available .... Ride the Rock Cycle activity (created by Stacy Baker, Pleasant Hill School, Peoria, IL)
For this activity students roll a die and travel through different stations to learn about the rock cycle. After their journey, they use the information from the "trip" to create a comic strip.
Testing Rocks Properties (Sarah Roach)
During this activity the students will be testing the rocks with different objects such as, a nail, a penny, glass, etc. By doing this activity students will be able to identify the different types of rocks.
Materials: different rocks, paper and pencil, testing kit
Works Cited: Peters, Joseph M., and David L. Stout. "How Rocks Are Formed Concepts." Science in Elementary Education: Methods, Concepts, and Inquiries. 11th ed. Boston ; Munich [u.a.: Pearson Education, 2011. 452-54. Print.
Mariah Kidwell My Rock
This activity allows the students to find a rock and make it their own pet rock. There is multiple worksheets that go along with these activities. They draw a picture of the rock, name their rock, and tell different properties about their rock. They will also take their rocks measurements and record it. Through these activities students will understand different rock properties.
materials: rock, string, pencil
Hoover, Evalyn, and Sherly Mercier.Primarily Earth: Activities integrating Math and Science. Fresno, CA: AIMS Education Foundation, 2006. 24-27. Print Mariah Kidwell If You Find a Rock
This activity goes along with our children's book. It also goes along with the pet rock activity. Once the children have brought in their pet rock you read the children's book. Then have them compare their rock to others and see which rock would be best suited for things mentioned in the book. The children can also make a pet rock poster to try and advertise their rock and sell it.
materials: Children's book: I Found a Rock, poster board, crayons, pencil, and rock.
If You Find a Rock NSTA activity Mariah Kidwell A Twist in Time
This activity allows the children to play a board game and learn about fossils while doing it. We can model the fossils with the box of fossils we have. They also can decorate their game board.
Illinois Learning Standards: 12.E.3a, 12.E.3b
Take your students on a journey through the rock cycle with this fun lesson. After my students have been introduced to the rock cycle, I challenge them to create a story about Roger, a metamorphic rock. Students must describe at least three transitions that occurred during Roger's life, such as changing from metamorphic to igneous, igneous to sedimentary, and sedimentary to igneous. Students have the option of writing a diary, creating a cartoon, or making a children's book. My students have a great time using their creativity and I enjoy a little of their humorous insights into Roger's life.
Also available .... Ride the Rock Cycle activity (created by Stacy Baker, Pleasant Hill School, Peoria, IL)
For this activity students roll a die and travel through different stations to learn about the rock cycle. After their journey, they use the information from the "trip" to create a comic strip.
During this activity the students will be testing the rocks with different objects such as, a nail, a penny, glass, etc. By doing this activity students will be able to identify the different types of rocks.
Materials: different rocks, paper and pencil, testing kit
Works Cited: Peters, Joseph M., and David L. Stout. "How Rocks Are Formed Concepts." Science in Elementary Education: Methods, Concepts, and Inquiries. 11th ed. Boston ; Munich [u.a.: Pearson Education, 2011. 452-54. Print.
This is a neat game that the students can play to test their knowledge of what the different rocks can be scratched by and leave a mark.
http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/EarthMaterials/activities/mohsdrill.html
Mariah Kidwell My Rock
This activity allows the students to find a rock and make it their own pet rock. There is multiple worksheets that go along with these activities. They draw a picture of the rock, name their rock, and tell different properties about their rock. They will also take their rocks measurements and record it. Through these activities students will understand different rock properties.
materials: rock, string, pencil
Hoover, Evalyn, and Sherly Mercier.Primarily Earth: Activities integrating Math and Science. Fresno, CA: AIMS Education Foundation, 2006. 24-27. Print
Mariah Kidwell If You Find a Rock
This activity goes along with our children's book. It also goes along with the pet rock activity. Once the children have brought in their pet rock you read the children's book. Then have them compare their rock to others and see which rock would be best suited for things mentioned in the book. The children can also make a pet rock poster to try and advertise their rock and sell it.
materials: Children's book: I Found a Rock, poster board, crayons, pencil, and rock.
If You Find a Rock NSTA activity
Mariah Kidwell A Twist in Time
This activity allows the children to play a board game and learn about fossils while doing it. We can model the fossils with the box of fossils we have. They also can decorate their game board.
materials: fossils, crayons, and worksheeyt.
http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/thezone/funstuff/games/pdfs/twist.pdf